Regulations

The Law Society is responsible for governing the legal profession in the public interest.  The Law Society ensures that the provisions of the Legal Profession Act,  the Law Society’s rules, regulations, guidelines and Code of Professional Conduct are complied with. It is our responsibility to ensure that the people of the Northwest Territories are served by lawyers who meet high standards of competence, learning and professional conduct; and, to uphold the independence, integrity and honour of the legal profession.

To fulfill that obligation, the Law Society lawyers seeking to be admitted are qualified to practice in the Northwest Territories through a thorough admissions screening process. 

The Law Society reviews the practices of NWT lawyers, including conducting spot audits of lawyer’s trust and other accounts; provides advice to lawyers on ethical and legal issues; investigates and disciplines lawyers; and takes action against those individuals who illegally offer legal services or misrepresent themselves as lawyers.

The Law Society maintains a Find A Lawyer – Areas of Practice service, where members of the public can access lists of lawyers licensed to practice in the NWT  who work in different areas of law.

ACT, RULES & POLICIES

All members are required to read (or have read) the Legal Profession Act, Rules of the Law Society, Policy Manual and Directives, Code of Professional Conduct, and other regulatory publications. The complete list of publications can be found under Acts, Rules & Policies. Further recommended reading is found under Practice Advisories.

ADMINISTRATIVE & DISCIPLINARY NOTICES

Notices of membership activity, including changes of status, suspensions, reinstatements and resignations, are found under Administrative Notices. Disciplinary proceedings and any resulting membership notices, including suspensions and disbarments, are found under Discipline Proceedings & Notices.

PROFESSIONAL LIABILITY

Information on the Law Society’s Professional Liability Policy and member obligations for filing claims is found under Professional Liability.

PRACTICING IN THE NWT

Lawyers practicing in the North without authorization will be investigated by the Law Society of the Northwest Territories. Further information on mobility and the practice of law can be found under Lawyer Mobility (under the Membership tab) and Unauthorized Practice.